USD Magazine, Summer 1992

University of San Diego Archives

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• TRUE BELIEVER The Vision of Jack Boyce

TV AND TERRORISM IN THE REAGAN 'SOS

•

SPORTING LIFE

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THE

Producing a magazine can be a lonely job if the only response is an occasional change-of-address notice. Since a goal of any magazine is to elicit reader response, an empty mailbox strikes a fear of reader apathy into the heart of even the most intrepid editor. With that in mind, then, I'd like to thank all of you- and there were dozens-who wrote or called with comments about the changes in the last issue of the magazine. The reactions were as diverse as our readers: • "I love the new look-I read it cover-to-cover." • "I miss the large photos from the old V Magazine." • "There seems to be more 'meat' to the stories now." • "The frenZY of type changes makes me dizzY." • "It is easier to read." • "It is much harder to read." Positive or negative, all the comments provided helpful feedback for us on the staff as we continue to assess what is-and isn't-working for USD Magazine. Further changes can be found through– out this issue. Many are part of the magazine's natural development; others are a direct result of your comments. I hope you'll keep the feedback coming. Encouraging that sort of dialog between maga– zine and reader-or between the university and our alumni or parents-is the purpose behind the "Letters to the Editor" section introduced on Page 2 of this issue. It is a section that can succeed only with your help, so as you look through this and future issues, I hope you'll take a few minutes to write down your reactions, not only to the look of the magazine but to the articles you read. It's your opportunity to let the University of San Diego know what you think.

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TRUE BELIEVER by Jacqueline Genovese The promise of a challenge brought him here. His deep faith and the friends he found made him stay. Now, after 17 years as vice president for financial affairs, Jack Boyce is retiring from the university he took from shaky ground to solid footing.

EDITOR Suzanne Johnson

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Kate Callen Jacqueline Genovese Trisha J. Ratledge

ART DIRECTOR Visual Asylum

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jim Coit, features Ken Jacques Rodney Nakamoto Pablo Mason

PAPER TIGERS AND VIDEO POSTCARDS by Suzanne Johnson

ILLUSTRATION Troy Viss

THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

During the 1980s, terrorist acts against Americans reached crisis proportions-or did they? A new book by USD faculty member Beth Dobkin examines the rela– tionship between terrorism, TV news and the Reagan administra– tion.

PRESIDENT Author E. Hughes

VICE PRESIDENT FDR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS John G.McNamara DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Jack F. Cannon DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS John Trifiletti '78 USD Magazine is published quarterly by the University of San Diego for its alum– ni, parents and friends. Editorial offices: USD Magazine, Publications Office, University of San Diego, Alcala Park, San Diego , CA 9211 O. Third-class postage paid at San Diego, CA 92110. Postmaster: Send address changes to USD Magazine, Publications Office, Alcala P a rk, San Diego, CA 92110.

THE SPORTING LIFE

by Dianne Ludlam

The life of a sports agent isn't all fun, games and seven-figure con– tracts-or it shouldn't be. The founders of Professional Excel– lence in Sports talk about negotia– tions, education, counseling, friendship and ethics-especially ethics- in professional athletics.

VIEWPOINTS

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Recently, Mother Teresa, who works and lives in Third World countries, became ill in Mexico. She was not treated in Mexico or even Chula Vista but was brought to La Jolla. Now, of course, I have no knowledge of her medical condition or the possibility that she needed specialized treatment only available at Scripps Clinic, but this has the appearance of what we typically do in America-seek what we think is the best health care available. In a democracy, we tend to think that everyone, regardless of ability to pay, has the right to the best health care money can provide. We abhor the thought of limits or rationing of health care. Our country has the research, technology and delivery system to keep providing more and more expensive and possibly unnecessary health care. The health-care indus– try is big business, and it is set up to consume all of the resources we are willing to provide. As a society we need to ask some very important questions, such as: What kind of life should we expect medicine to help us achieve? What standard of health does a society need? Who pays for health care, and whose responsibili– ty is it? If we do not look at these questions as a society and put some realistic limits on health care, then, in my opinion, we will be spending too many resources on health care that should go toward other societal needs. Thank you for the interesting article. Judith Munoz Director of Human Resources, University of San Diego

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Only the Best

As a human resources professional and one who studies, writes and speaks on the topic of health-care issues, I found Dianne Ludlam's article on health-care costs of inter– est (Spring 1992). She did a good job of explaining the problems and some of the causes. I certainly agree with my colleagues Miriam Roth– man's and Janet Rodgers' statements that people need to take responsibili– ty for their own health care by liv– ing a healthy lifestyle and question– ing costly diagnostic and treatment procedures. These are activities that can impact on the total cost of health. However, what the article did not explain and what I believe is the essential cause of our exorbitant health-care costs is the American attitude toward the delivery of health care. We look at health care from an individualistic, personal point of view rather than from the broad view of what our society can afford. People become very emotion– al when their health or the health of a loved one is threatened, and seek the very best treatment they can afford, even if they are probably incapable of determining what is quality treatment.

An 'Ethereal Fireball'

I recently received the spring issue of USD Magazine and wanted to tell you I thoroughly enjoyed the article "Soul Provider," featuring Sister Alicia Sarre. My recollections of Sister Sarre stem from a course in . "Spanish for the Health Profession– al" she instructed back in 1982. She was a single-minded "fireball" of a nun then, who inspired me to learn a language that has proven invalu– able in my profession. Your article captured the true spirit of an ethere– al, saintly individual who was and still is Sister Sarre. Strong work! Michael Saffian '82, M.D. Cleveland, OH

LMANAC

OMMENCEMENT

HEER

~nny smiles matched the sunny skies May 23-24 as undergraduates, graduate students and law students participated in commencement cer– emonies at the University of San Diego. Two honorary degrees also were awarded, one to undergradu– ate commencement speaker The Hon. Elliot L. Richardson and the other to graduate commencement speaker Robert E. Wycoff. Ambassador Richardson serves the Bush administration as special representative of the presi– dent for the Multilateral Assistance Initiative for the Philippines. He has a distinguished record of public service spanning more than four decades, including four positions at the Cabinet level: attorney general, secretary of defense, secretary of health, education and welfare, and secretary of commerce. Excerpts from Richardson's commencement address can be found on the inside back cover of this issue of USD Magazine. Wycoff is chair and chief opera– tion officer of the Atlantic-Rich– field Corp. of Los Angeles, and serves as chairman of the Califor– nia Business Roundtable and author of its annual California Business Climate Survey.

Leading American consumer advocate Ralph Nader served as speaker for the School of Law Commencement, which was held Saturday, May 23. For more than a quarter-century, Nader and his "Raiders" have fought to safeguard

public health and safety on the highways, in the workplace and in the home. Undergraduate and graduate ceremonies took place Sunday, May 24.

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prised he was able to go as far as he did," said USD coach Ed Collins. "Even though his goal was to win it, he went further than he ever has." Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Noriega, who goes by the nickname Tato, was one of his country's best junior players. When he arrived in San Diego four years ago, he promised himself and his family that he would finish what he started at USO-getting his degree and fulfill– ing his commitment to Collins. "He's brought a lot of recognition to USD," Collins says. "He's been a great representative of USD Athlet– ics. In addition to being a four-time All-American, he's been a good stu– dent, an extremely hard worker and a model of good sportsmanship." Noriega, who received his B.A. in business in May, did so in four years. "Finishing my education and getting my degree was important to me and my family," he says. "If my pro career doesn't work out, I know I will be able to use my education in the business field." He isn't wasting any time finding out if he can make it on the pro cir– cuit. He was scheduled to play in two tournaments in Italy (Florence and Genoa) in June. "I think it's going to be hard," he says. "Emotionally, it's going to be a lot different than college. You're out there by yourself most of the time. You never know how tough it's going to be until you try it."

~his past spring, University of San Diego's Jose Luis Noriega accomplished what few college ath– letes can even dream about-he became a four-time NCAA All– American. It marked the first time a USD student-athlete has been so honored. Although he fell short of his goal of winning this past May's NCAA championship, Noriega accom– plished just about everything else possible in college tennis (see related story on this page). Despite missing almost two months of competition with a shoul– der injury, Noriega reached the semifinals of the NCAAs before los– ing to eventual champion Alex O'Brien of Stanford. "I was sur- • NCAA singles quarterfinalist (1990, 1991) • NCAA singles semifinalist (1992) • Rolex National indoor champion (1992) • Peruvian Davis Cup team (1991) • Head/Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award (Region VIII, 1991) • Rafael Osuna National Sportsman– ship Award (1991) • Nation's best win-loss record in collegiate Grand Slam events (34-10) • Career record of 138-30 (100-15 in singles, 38-15 in doubles)

Jase Luis Noriega

• Four-time NCAA Division 1 All– American (1989-92) • Volvo/lTCA Region VIII Rookie of the Year (1989) • West Coast Conference singles champion (1989, 1991) • Intercollegiate Clay Court champion (1989) • Peruvian national champion (1990, 1991) • wee doubles champion (1989, 1990) • San Diego Intercollegiate singles champion (1990, 1991, 1992)

to City Councilman Leon Williams in 1972. He went on to serve as Williams' staff aide, chief assistant and campaign manager. In 1982, when he won election to the Coun– ty Board of Supervisors, Jones succeeded Williams as city council– man for San Diego's 4th District. His greatest legacy to San Diego has been "Project I Believe," a pro– gram he founded in 1987 to help elementary school children receive the financial support and academic training they need for college. Jones received an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1989. He has been honored with the Free– dom Foundation's George Wash– ington Honor Medal for Individual Achievement, and was chosen as one of "Fif-ty Black Future Lead– ers" by Ebony Magazine.

c~ he University of San Diego Board of Trustees has announced the addition of two new members to its ranks . Kathryn S. Colachis, chairman and chief executive officer of The J.W. Colachis Co., and William D. Jones, investment manager of The Prudential Realty Co., joined the board May 15, both for three-year terms. Kathryn Colachis, the widow of longtime USD trustee James ,v. Colachis, has a distinguished record of philanthropy and com– munity service. A gTaduate of Phoenix College, she has served as a patron of numerous organiza– tions, including the Phoenix Sym– phony, the Laguna Beach Art Museum, the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, the San Diego Historical Society, the San Diego Opera and the United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society. WiUiam Jones, a 1980 graduate of USD, began a distinguished career in public service as an intern

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD USO President Author E. Hughes was one of three San Diegans honored June 4 at the first Inter– national Citizen Award Dinner sponsored by the World Affair~ Council of San Diego. The award was established to honor outstanding contributions by individuals or institutions that promote increased understanding among the peoples of the world. Along with Hughes, honors went to Richard Atkinson, chan– cellor of the University of Califor– nia at San Diego, and Thomas Day, president of San Diego State University. The World Affairs Council of San Diego is an organization dedi– cated to the advancement of ideas covering a wide range of world– wide issues in politics, culture and economics. It was founded in 1968.

William D. Jones

Kathryn S . Colachis

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USO MAGAZINE

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The promise of a challenge brought him here. His deep faith

and the friends he found made him stay.

ot many people would stand in front of Pope

N ovv, after 1 7 years as vice president for

John Paul II, the leader of the Catholic world, and notice his shoes. But the Pontiff's choice of footwear caught the eye of Jack Boyce, USD's vice president of financial affairs, when he met the pope in 1986. Leaning back in his chair, with one foot propped comfortably on his desk, Boyce's blue eyes sparkle mis– chievously behind his glasses as he recalls the moment. "The pope was sitting in a throne-like chair, in a beautiful robe, and I looked down and noticed that his feet were crossed, like this." Boyce crosses his feet at the ankles. "I looked closer, and saw that he had on penny loafers. "Penny loafers on the pope! Can you imagine?" The same attention to detail that led to the startling discovery of the

financial affairs, Jack Boyce is retiring

from the university he took from shaky

ground to solid footing.

pope's penny loafers has helped one John D. Boyce lead USD from shaky ground to solid footing during his 17-year tenure. Just ask the two people most often associated with the universi– ty's growth and vitality over the past two decades, President Author E. Hughes and Provost Sister Sally Furay, RSCJ. It is Boyce, they say, who should get the lion's share of the credit for the physical beauty and financial stability the university enjoys today. "So much of this place wouldn't be here without Jack Boyce," says Sister Furay, gesturing toward the

campus. "A lot of what the presi– dent and I get credit for, Jack has made possible." Leaning forward in her chair, Sister Furay adds emphatically, "The man is a genius." And Hughes concurs. "The rea– son we are on solid financial ground today is because of Jack." It is no wonder that the sentiment echoing around Alcala Park these days is that "Nobody is irreplace– able, but Jack Boyce comes close." Boyce is retiring Aug. 1, when his successor comes on board. Even so, Boyce will be involved in USD affairs, coming to campus part-time as a special advisor to Hughes.

by Jacqueline Genove.1e

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USO MAGAZINE

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ack Boyce had already proven his financial acu–

And the USD job was a chal– lenge, to say the least. "When Jack came, the campus was in sad shape," admits Gene Trepte, a long– time member of USD's board of trustees and president of Trepte

payroll clerk, and her rather large poster of a barechested Burt Reynolds. The parade of employees who went through every day barely acknowledged the newcomer.

men and business ability during 15 successful years as a developer and entrepreneur before coming to USD. He and two partners devel– oped the Lomas

"Everyone joked that he was my secretary," Griffith says. "Isn't that a hoot?" Not many people, especially executives ave oun t e situation even remotely funny, but Boyce did. "Mary told me every– thing I needed to know about USD," he ld h f d h' wou

Santa Fe community in Solana Beach, and Boyce had start– ed the first cable television company in San Diego before Hughes approached him.

"When Jack came, the campus 'W'as in sad shape ... There 'W'ere potholes in Marian Way, the roofs leaked, some of the u1 1ngs 'W'ere crum 1ng an a y nee e the la'W'n 'W'as bro'W'n and splotchy in "Id" bl" d b di d d

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paint,

some areas ... It 'W'as a mess." -Trustee Gene Trepte

"Bishop (Leo) Maher had intro-

Investment Co. "There were pot– holes in Marian Way, the roofs leaked, some of the buildings were crumbling and badly needed paint, the lawn was brown and splotchy in

duced me to Jack when I first came to the university and was looking for a house," Hughes explains. "So I had known Jack for two years and was familiar with what he had accomplished. We wanted Jack because he had the two things we needed-construction experience and financial knowledge." Although the university wanted Boyce, it remained to be seen if Boyce wanted the university. The father of seven had just sold his North County Cable company for a sizable amount and, in truth, he really didn't need to work.

laughs. The two things Boyce did know about USD-that turning it around would be the biggest chal– lenge of his career, and that it was a Catholic university-convinced him to accept the job. Father J.J. O'Leary, SJ, a good friend of Boyce's and a religious studies lecturer at USD, cites anoth– er reason the affable Irishman took on a seemingly insurmountable task. "Jack has a very deep faith in God, and I think he wanted to do some– thing meaningful with his life and make a contribution. He felt this was the place to do that because he believed in the philosophy and mis– sion of the university." Boyce agrees with that assess– ment, then adds, "I had a vision for this place. The minute I saw the campus, I knew what it could • Financing, design and con– struction of: Hahn University Center, Olin Hall, Man– chester Executive Conference Center, Hahn Nursing School, Copley Library, Loma Hall, Mission Crossroads Housing Complex, the Alcala Vista Housing Complex and the soccer field.

some areas... It was a mess." Not only was the university

physically troubled, but it was fiscal– ly ailing as well. "We were $1.8 mil– lion in debt, and we had borrowed against and spent our $375,000 endowment," Hughes says, shaking his head. To top it off, when Boyce arrived for his first day on the job, his office in Maher Hall was two months from completion. He ended up on the bot– tom floor of Maher at a desk that "was so old it probably came over on the Ark," he says. Sharing his space was Purchasing Director Mary Griffith, then the

~ ------------------------------- FROM THE BOYCE FILES

President Author E. Hughes and Provost Sister Sally Furay, RSC], credit Jack Boyce's sound investments and brilliant finan– cial maneuvering with helping to make USD the university it is today. Following is a partial list of what Boyce has accomplished during his 1 7 years as vice president for financial affairs.

In 1991, Boyce completed an eight-year term as Lieutenant of the Western Region of the Order. He says his involvement with the Holy Sepulchre has led to three of the most significant experiences of his life: meeting the pope and making two pilgrimages to the Holy Land. The photos of Boyce's visit with the pope are displayed prominently in his office. Pointing to the photo of her boss shaking hands with the pope, Barbara Walsh, Boyce's exec– utive assistant for the past 12 years, laughs. "We tell Jack that in this picture it's hard to tell which one is the pope." Boyce does

become. And I felt very comfortable at a Catholic university."

hat sense of humor, com– bined with an easygoing

style and Irish charm, has served Boyce well as the supervisor of eight of the most visible and vital departments on campus: Physical Plant, Human Resources, the Book– store, the Mail Center, Accounting, Administrative Data Processing and Public Safety. His popularity with his employ– ees was evident in 1989 when the Staff Employees Association hon– ored Boyce with its Administrator of the Year Award-that plaque hangs in his office. "There's noth– ing more satisfying than being rec– ognized by the people who work for you," Boyce says. Explaining his friend's appeal, Father O'Leary quips, "Jack could tell you to go to hell, and you would look forward to the trip." The flip side of the Boyce charm is the Boyce temper. "You can only push him so far, then you get his Irish up," Walsh says. "That really only happens when he's working with developers or architects who want to propose contract changes. Then you see his temper."

oyce's Catholic roots go back to his childhood in

Bayside, N.Y., where he lived in a tight-knit community of Irish and Italian Catholics whose lives cen– tered around the Sacred Heart Church. His devotion to the church was fostered by a mother who attended Mass daily and a father who went out of his way to help others.

Boyce's experience with the Christian Brothers in high school and at Man– hattan College also left an indelible mark on him. "The Christian Brothers taught me two very impor– tant things-the value of earnest, dis– ciplined study, and the importance of loyalty," he says. His loyalty to the Catholic Church has

have a priestly quality to him, and it's no won– der-he had an uncle and brother who were priests, and his two sis– ters became nuns (one has since left the

Jack Boyce

religious life and married). He gave some thought to becoming a priest in his younger years, but decided it wasn't right for him. Walsh says she teases her boss about being so holy. "He just laughs and says, 'holey socks-that's me."'

never wavered, and in 1972 that loyalty was recognized by the late San Diego Bishop Leo T. Maher when he invited Boyce to join the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, a Catholic group that raises funds for the medical, educational and social needs of Arab Christians in the Holy Land.

• Approved establishment of the Staff Employees Associa– tion and the employee benefit program.

• Financing and negotiations for purchase of the Diocesan Building for the USD campus.

• Purchase of the university trams.

Hahn University Center

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USO MAGAZINE

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Boyce might be tough on contrac– tors, but he is generous and con– cerned when it comes to students,

it 'JACK' because he's the one who made it possible. I just put the com– mittee together.

was able to get for the team. He had driven it up on campus and parked it out front just so Jack could see it," Walsh recalls. None of these purchases would have been possible, says Hughes, if it weren't for Boyce's formidable financial skills. "His managing of our bonds alone has saved us millions of dollars," Hughes says. "His timing in the financial market is incredible. We have never had to borrow money to finance the construction of an aca– demic building. We've been able to build them all with donations and the earnings on our investments. Jack has always been conservative with the university's finances, he has a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility and never takes risks, and every year he balances the bud– get. "Our solid financial base and this beautiful physical plant are Jack's legacies to this university." They are legacies he looks after, too. He conducts a mini-inspection every day as he arrives on campus, and is on the phone to Physical Plant Director Roger Manion when– ever something is amiss. "Jack wants things just so, and he won't settle for anything .less," Walsh explains.

"Across the history of the last 15 to 18 years of this university, Jack Boyce's fingerprint is on all kinds of things that people don't even realize."

- Provost Sister Sally Furay, RSCJ

"Jack does it all quietly, without fanfare," Sister Furay says. "He's proof that the saying is true, 'There is no limit to what can be done if it doesn't matter who gets the credit."'

faculty and staff employees. He and his wife of 42 years, Mig, have endowed four, four-year undergrad– uate scholarships, and have con– tributed to USD's new Choral Scholars program. Shortly after he arrived, Boyce sanctioned the cre– ation of the Staff Employees Associ– ation to allow staff employees more input into administrative policies. He also masterminded the universi– ty's employee benefits program. "Across the history of the last 15 to 18 years of this university, Jack Boyce's fingerprint is on all kinds of things that people don't even real– ize," Sister Furay says. "Like the trams. Jack was concerned about the safety of the students walking around at night, so he found funding for those. And the library's new automated system. The staff calls it 'SALLY,' but they should really call

eing the "behind-the– scenes" vice president

doesn't bother Boyce-in fact, he prefers it that way. "I like to keep a low profile," he says with a grin. But that doesn't mean people can't find him. The biology faculty found him last year when they needed funds to renovate their labs. "They were so thrilled with him that they came in here with a huge bottle of Absolut Vodka to thank him," Walsh says. Baseball Coach John Cunningham found him, too, when he needed money for a team bus. "One day, John came running in here, just like a little kid, to show Jack the bus he

<»------------------------------- FROM THE BOYCE FILES, continued

• Construction of a cogenera– tion plant, which saves the university thousands of dol– lars annually in utility costs.

• Automation of the universi– ty's two libraries and the media center.

• Upgrade of the university's computer system.

Copley Library

"I told my wife, 'I'll retire when I'm 50.' Then it was 55, then it was 60. Now here I am at 65, and I'm finally getting around to it.'' Sitting back in his chair and running his hand over his thatch of white hair, Boyce's voice catches as he says, "The friends I've made here are what made me stay. And I believe in this place, and in what we're trying to do. I just couldn't let that go.'' "Jack has al-w·ays been conservative with the university's finances, he has a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility and never takes risks, and every year he balances the budget ... Our solid financial base and this beautiful

Jack Boyce has supplemented his USO leadership by taking a leading role with the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, a Catholic group aiding Arab Christians in the Holy Land.

He also keeps abreast of the financial markets by reading con– stantly and talking to his colleagues in the financial world. "It's a bal– ancing act," Boyce admits. "I guess I just have a knack for timing and a little Irish luck."

His financial timing is one thing, but Boyce admits that his career timing is something else. "I really never planned to stay at USD this long-just long enough to turn it around.

physical plant are Jack's legacies to this university."

- President Author E. Hughes

• Purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art phone system. • Expansion of the print shop, bookstore and mail center.

• Renovation of biology and electrical engineering labs.

Pardee Legal Research Center

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PRPER TIGERS & VIDEO POSTCRROS

TELEVISION NEWS,

TERRORISM

AND AMERICA'S

MORAL PANIC

S ocial

critics insist that Americans watch too much television, that too many hours of staring at the screen have anesthetized us to the violence we see there. They have a point. On a typical evening of prime-time drama, we see multiple stabbings, shootings and other acts of violence, safe in the knowledge that law and order will prevail, the victims avenged and the criminals punished. The triumphant hero, happy-ending scenario is one we like, one that makes us feel safe. When it is absent, we are troubled-and some televised images have definitely troubled us: • Blood-splattered bodies on the floors of the Vienna and Rome airports; • The face of wheelchair-bound Leon Klinghoffer, thrown into the sea from a cruise ship near Cairo; • The passenger-filled plane sitting on a runway in Beirut, swarthy gunman clearly visible behind the white-haired pilot; • Thin, pale Americans sending assurances to their families as they "celebrated" Thanksgiving at gun– point in Tehran.

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USO MAGAZINE

Those images have something in common: innocent civilians-mostly Americans-dead or taken hostage for a vague political purpose. The images share another trait as well: all were brought to us courtesy of the evening news, our most relied-upon source of information in times of crisis. As disturbing as we find those images of terrorism, we still long for a happy ending. And television news tries to deliver, says Beth Dobkin, coordinator of media studies and assistant professor of communication studies at USD. Through the words used, images projected and sources quoted, our evening newscasts gave us several impressions about terrorism in the 1980s: that it was escalating and rapidly reaching crisis proportions; that terrorists, who preyed on innocent civilians, were the embodiment of political evil; and that something had to be done about it. By the middle '80s Americans believed those percep– tions to be true, Dobkin says, and Ronald Reagan couldn't have been happier. D obkin knows the televised images of terrorism bet– ter than most. For the past five years, she has studied net– work coverage of terrorism and its relation to U.S. for– eign policy during the eight-year Reagan administration. Her findings, published this spring by Praeger Publishers as Tales of Terror: Television News and the Construction of the Terrorist Threat, challenge some of the beliefs we have formed about terrorism from our own television viewing experience. The book is based on Dobkin's doctoral dissertation, which was awarded the annual Dissertation Award by the Speech Communication Association in April. Long interested in the relationship between the media and U.S. foreign policy, Dobkin saw the increased percep– tion of the terrorist threat during the Reagan years as a fitting subject: the numbers simply didn't jibe.

Reagan was sworn into office Jan. 20, 1981, the same day that 52 hostages ended 444 days of captivity at the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran. Reagan quickly target– ed terrorism as a growing threat with which the country must take action. "From the time of Reagan's 1981 inaugural address, when he unveiled counterterrorism as the cornerstone of his foreign policy, to the time of the 1986 air raid against Libya, the problem of terrorism escalated to the level of crisis," Dobkin says. "But the number of terrorist acts directed at Americans had remained relatively constant during that period, and the risk posed to Americans by terrorists was minimal."

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~ "AMERICANS WANTED SWIFT AND STRONG MILITARY RETALIATION AFTER HAVING BEEN PLAGUED FORA DECADE WITH HORRIFYING ACTS OF TERRORISM AIMED AT U.S. CITIZENS. ,, "Plagued for a decade" because during that time broadcast technology had allowed pictures and sound to be quickly transmitted to American homes from all parts of the world. And it was those broadcasts that convinced us in the 1980s that terrorism had grown into a major threat. Whether TV news was manipulated by the government, manipulated by the terrorists or simply doing its job of conveying information, the methods it used to deliver its message resulted in a national panic over terrorism. It scared us, it threatened our way of life, and we wanted something done about it. American television news almost exclusively is present– ed in "hero narratives," harking back to our penchant for happy endings and conquering heroes, Dobkin says. "It's melodramatic, and it is interesting to watch," Dobkin says of the hero narrative. "People like to hear stories told this way, and I think one of the reasons ABC is the most popular news network is that it has perfected the hero narrative form. They know how to make a story sensational." While the hero narrative attracted viewers and provided the visual background for terrorist coverage, the networks supplemented it with tried-and-true reporting methods that reinforced the viewers' feelings of victimization and fear: • "Video Postcards"-taped messages from hostages to their families or the public-brought a more personal and tragic element to the story.

The disparity between the perceived terrorist threat and the threat that existed set Dobkin on her course of research. For her study, she scrutinized dozens of hours of video– tape, finally concentrating on video reports of ABC-TV's "World News Tonight," both the most highly rated net– work news program and the network that gave the heavi– est coverage to terrorism during the Reagan era. T errorists, television journalists and the president of the United States may make strange bedfellows, but in the 1980s they were all sharing an uncomfortably small space. Conventional wisdom dictates that the media are the pawns of terrorists, publicizing their actions and thus legitimizing their cause. But Dobkin says the U.S. gov– ernment's policies can be furthered as well. And in the 1980s, the Reagan administration wanted us to believe terrorism had reached crisis levels. Why? Dobkin won't speculate on the motives of the president or his administration. "I only know what I can see," she says. But the infrastructure for governmental manipulation is there. "The media will always follow the lead of the government, because it is the journalist's job to cover the news-and what the president says is news, is news," Dobkin notes. "Once the administration identifies some– thing as a problem, the media begins paying more atten– tion to it. And that greater awareness gives the president a great deal of power to solve the problem." In the case of the Reagan administration and terrorism, military action ensued, with tremendous public support, on April 15, 1986, as a retaliatory air raid was launched against Libya. The target: Moammar Qadaffi, who had been portrayed as embodying Middle Eastern terrorism. "American support for the action was overwhelming," Dobkin says. "Americans wanted swift and strong mili– tary retaliation after having been plagued for a decade with horrifying acts of terrorism aimed at U.S. citizens."

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her USD students-who give her lectures rave reviews– and she continues to cast a critical eye at the relationship between TV news and foreign policy. A book chapter on CNN and ABC coverage of the Gulf War will be pub– lished soon, and she is planning a study of TV's role in the reaction to the Rodney King video, the Simi Valley verdict and the aftermath that gripped much of the coun– try this past spring. And it is an election year. "I sat down to watch the movie 'Risky Business' on TV last night and ended up taping all the political ads," she laughs. "But I would need at least four VCRs to monitor everything."

• Dramatic, still images often represented complex events. When ABC News accompanied reports of the 1985 TWA hijacking with a photo of pilot John Testrake being watched by a dark-skinned gunman, it reinforced the idea of "civilians as targets, commercial passenger jets as prisons, hostages as heroic, and dark, Islamic extrem– ists as terrorists," Dobkin says. • Reporters used the passive voice in telling stories. Saying "Three Americans have been taken hostage" rather than "Hijackers have taken a number of hostages, including three Americans" focused attention on the American as terrorist victim. • The networks occasionally criticized Reagan as a "paper tiger" who used strong rhetoric to lambaste terror– ism but had done little to back up his talk. At the same time, they presented military scenarios that supported the administration's preference for military action. Th.e combined result of these and other broadcasting methods, Dobkin says, was that the desire for military action was reinforced, both on the part of the administra– tion and the public. If Reagan's foreign policy required military action in order to give Americans a sense that something was being done about terrorism, television helped give it a chance by subtly reinforcing the need for military action in the minds of its viewers. The "terrorist threat" waned in the eyes of the pub– lic----despite a relatively constant rate of terrorist activity before and since-when the Iran-Contra investigation diverted the attention of both administration and media and exposed the hypocrisy in negotiations with terrorists, Dobkin says. George Bush has been too busy with Pana– ma, the Gulf War, the economy and now the loud foot– steps of Bill Clinton to renew the war against terrorism. Meanwhile, the hero narrative nature of TV news con– tinues with other stories, from the economy to the "drug war," and Beth Dobkin spends more time than she likes to admit perched in front of a television and two VCRs, remote control in hand. She shares findings with

Beth Dobkin

TERRORISTS, TELEVISION JOURNALISTS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MAY MAKE STRANGE BEDFELLOWS, BUT IN THE 1980s THEY WERE ALL SHARING AN UNCOMFORTABLY SMALL SPACE.

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• • • • • • • • • • • •

The life of a sports agent isn't all fun, games

and seven-figure contracts-or it shouldn't be.

by

!Ti -nee childhood, D avid Morway '85 (J.D.) has spent several hours each day poring over the newspaper sports pages. H e still does that, but it's not for fun any– more; it's part of his job. Morway is one of the managing directors of Professional Excellence in Sports, a La Jolla-based sports agency that represents about 45 pro– fessional athletes. H e and co– founders John Adler '74 (J.D.), an adjunct professor of labor law at U SD, and William McClelland, an engineer at General Dynamics Con– vair Division, started the company in 198 7. N ow when Morway scrutinizes the newspaper ~ports sec tion, he's checking the statistics of athletes he and his partners represent. In some cases, he has to look pretty hard. The list of clients does not exactly make an all-star lineup. Sure, there are some names recognizable to sports fans: San Diego Padres right– hander Greg Harris; San D iego Chargers Joe Phillips, Burt Gross– man, Junior Sean and Floyd Fields;

The founders of Pro-

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U S D M A G A Z I N E

Alumni Jahn Adler (standing) and David Morway have applied their skills in labor law la the arena of professional athletics.

For Adler and Morway that part of the job is not so different from what they do as labor attorneys– only the clientele has changed. For the most part, their clients are in their early 20s, and most are experi– encing for the first time a lifestyle that has or promises money, prestige and the pressure of expectations that comes with professional status. Adler sees the agency's role as helping these young athletes adjust to their new lives and prepare them for the future. To do that success– fully, Pro Ex provides financial planning, career counseling, endorsements / public relations assistance and fitness and lifestyle counseling.

"The reality is that this is a very complex business," Morway says. "You have to be part contract nego– tiator and part psychologist; you have to have a vast knowledge of marketing and public relations to be an effective sports agent today. You have to have a lot of experience and a lot of contacts."

and the National Basketball Associ– ation's Micheal Williams of the Indiana Pacers and David Benoit of the Utah Jazz. But for every one of those there are others playing on a farm team, the World League of American Football, the Continental Basketball Association or in Europe. Not all of them will make it big in the rough and tumble world of pro– fessional athletics, which is why the Pro Ex founders adopted a philoso– phy of helping their athletes achieve success both in and out of the play– ing arena. They want to do more than just get an athlete's name signed on the dotted line of a lucra– tive contract.

When Morway, Adler and McClelland formed their agency, they wanted to take the special needs of athletes into consideration. At the time, they didn't realize how long the hours would be (they aver– age 12-hour workdays); how much traveling would be involved (during seven months of the year they spend about two weeks of every month recruiting or visiting clients); or how cut-throat the business could be. And for them it is a business. None remembers the last time he sat down to watch a sport– ing event just for fun.

workshops; they take internships; they get involved in the business world; they go back to school and get their degree or work toward their degree.

Their professional ethics are matched by a string of impressive cre– dentials in business, sports and law. Adler, a leading San Diego labor law attorney, received his law degree from USD in 1974 and has extensive expe– rience in negotiation, arbitration and contract law. Morway, also a labor law attorney with an extensive background in negotiations, professional sports administration, business management and legal consultation, was formerly the assistant to the president of the San Diego Padres. McClelland, known in San Diego for his

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sional athletes are not superstars, they point out. The majority of young men and women who reach the status of professional athlete enjoy careers of fewer than five years. So programs like career and personal counseling, injury preven– tion, nutrition guidance, and public relations and media relations work– shops are popular. "A lot of our clients also have a strong interest in post-athletic careers," Adler says. "They are involved in management training

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Micheal Williams, who was playing in the Continental Basketball Associa– tion when Pro Ex negotiated a 10-day contract with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. That led to a two-year, $900,000 deal with the Indiana Pac– ers. Williams is now considered one of the top guards in the NBA and recently signed a deal that will bring in more than $16 million. The same soon may be true for NBA 1992 rookie David Benoit, who made a name for himself in this year's West– ern Conference Finals when he won the starting job of Utah Jazz small forward away from Blue Edwards. Morway was trying to recruit Benoit's college teammate, University of Alabama guard Keith Askins, when he first spotted Benoit. Alaba– ma was playing Morway's undergrad– uate alma mater, the University of

"That's something we take a lot of pride in. It's important to us that they do it, and we know it's impor– tant to them that they aren't left after their career without some sort of direction. We want to make sure they are able to do something mean– ingful and fulfilling after their ath– letic careers are over." Morway and Adler say their ath– letes' financial security is their first priority. So they offer a team of prominent tax and investment pro– fessionals to do the financial plan– ning for their clients. And unlike most agents, they do not earn com– missions from their clients' invest– ments, assuring the athletes that a conflict of interest never arises.

This lack of ethics is the one thing that bothers Adler, Morway, and McClelland most about the profes– sion. They have reached a point where they are considering filing suits against unethical agents trying to lure their clients away. Pro Ex has about eight employees, including several University of San Diego alumni. Director of basketball operations Danny Tarkanian is a 1988 magna cum laude graduate of the USD School of Law, and Johny Yaldo (B.S. '86, J.D. '89) is assis– tant director of client relations for the West Coast. Other clients include San Antonio Spurs head coach and former Uni– versity of Nevada-Las Vegas coach Jerry Tarkanian; NFL players Scott Galbraith of the Cleveland Browns, Darren Woodson of the Dallas Cow– boys, Patrick Newman of the New Orleans Saints, Nick Subis of the Denver Broncos and Marcus Hop– kins of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; baseball client Phil Plantier of the Boston Red Sox; and two members of the U.S. Men's Olympic Volley– ball Team.

Arizona, at an NCAA tournament in Long Beach. "David Benoit destroyed us," Morway says.

shot at making a career in profes– sional sports. So first and foremost, you need an outstanding athlete. "Next, you need a person who is not looking for the flash and the glit– ter, who is looking for more sub– stance in terms of support, in terms of advice. We want someone who wants help in making decisions-not someone to make decisions for him or her." By choosing their clients carefully, Morway, Adler and McClelland build loyalty and are able to counter– act sabotage attempts by other agents trying to lure their athletes away. "We don't lose clients," Adler says emphatically. "When you send your kids out to locations all around the country and they're being hit on by all sorts of agents, you better have a good relationship and you better have a good kid." the negative image some people have about sports agents is not totally undeserved. "Some percentage of athlete repre– sentatives are not particularly good people with respect to the things they do and the manner they con– duct business," he explains. The only requirement to become a sports agent is paying a small fee and registering with a players' associa– tion. This means people who lack the skills to negotiate a complex, multimillion-dollar deal, or who don't have the players' best interests at heart, fill the field, Morway says, adding that a good agent must under– stand the art of contract negotia– tions, salary caps, the labor climate and the arbitration process. "Too many agents are in it for the short term," Adler says. "They g~t one or two athletes and squeeze out as many dollars as they can. We see it happen every year."

Morway moved fast. He con– tacted Roosevelt Gray, the Pro Ex assistant director of client relations for the East Coast; Gray spent a weekend with Benoit; and the deal with Pro Ex was ultimately made over the phone. Morway and Adler are especially proud of Benoit's success on and off the court. "He's a great kid," Mor– way says. "He and his wife, Aline, recently had a baby, and we are very close to them." They try to develop close relation– ships with all their clients, a side of a cut-throat business not often seen by the public. Morway, Adler, McClelland and their staff look hard at the type of athlete they want to represent. Talent is essential, of course, but it isn't everything. "First of all, we are looking for good athletes because you can't do much with a good kid who's not an outstanding athlete," Adler says. "And it's not fair, either to the ath– letes or to us, to be spending a sub– stantial amount of time or money when they don't have a legitimate

A San Diego free-lance writer, Dianne Ludlam last wrote on health-care reform for the Spring 1992 USD Magazine.